No extension of licences for Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata: Vodafone

Mumbai: The government has rejected a request by a unit of Vodafone Group Plc's to extend its mobile phone licenses in three key service areas, the operator said, escalating a feud between carriers and the Centre in the world's second-biggest mobile phone market.

The telecommunications ministry has asked Vodafone India Ltd and Bharti Airtel Ltd, another top carrier, to win back airwaves in an auction in areas where they complete 20 years in November 2014.

The companies have challenged the auction in a court and stayed away from a bidding process that began in February. Vodafone has previously said it believed it was entitled to an extension of licenses on terms that are mutually agreed and without having to bid in an auction.

The telecommunications ministry has asked Vodafone India Ltd and Bharti Airtel Ltd to win back airwaves in an auction in areas where they complete 20 years in November 2014.